Best Sandwich Bread Recipe

I love creating Homemade Sandwich Bread using a mix of active dry yeast, honey, and lukewarm water with whole milk, egg, and melted butter. The secret lies in combining these ingredients with bread flour and salt to achieve a remarkably chewy and soft texture that perfectly supports your favorite sandwich fillings.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of making my own bread at home, and with this recipe, you’ll see that it’s easier than it seems. I remember the first time I tried making sandwich bread, I was nervous if it would have that chewy, soft texture perfect for any filling.

By mixing 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast with 2 tablespoons honey and a little bit of warm water and milk (about 110°F), I kickstarted the magic of fermentation that gives the bread its body. Then, adding 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted to perfection, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, I created a flavorful base.

Once I gradually combined 3 to 3 1/2 cups of bread flour, I realized the simplicity of this method. Whether you’re into basic sandwich bread recipes or you’re a fan of homemade white bread methods, this is easy peasy homemade bread you’ll love making time and again.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it gives me a soft, chewy texture thats perfect for any kind of sandwich filling. I also really enjoy how the warm milk and honey make the bread have a slightly sweet and rich flavour that isnt too overpowering. Another thing i love is that even though the process may seem a bit long, i feel really proud of myself when i see the dough rise and turn into a beautiful loaf. And finally, making my own bread gives me a chance to be creative in the kitchen and tweak things to my liking, which is really satisfying.

Ingredients

• Active dry yeast helps dough rise and adds a hint of tangy flavor.
• Honey gives natural sweetness and aids browning while offering subtle health benefits.
• Warm water helps rehydrate and activate the yeast for a lively, rising dough.
• Warm whole milk nourishes the dough and provides extra moisture for a soft crumb.
• A large egg contributes protein and helps bind ingredients, ensuring a stable structure.
• Melted unsalted butter adds richness and tenderness to make the bread delightfully soft.
• Salt balances flavors and enhances the dough’s taste without overpowering other ingredients.
• Bread flour, high in protein, builds gluten structure and creates a perfect sandwich base.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/3 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 2/3 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 to 3 1/2 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting

How to Make this

1. In a small bowl, mix warm water, warm whole milk, and the honey. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, till it gets foamy.

2. In a larger bowl, beat in the egg and melted butter with the salt.

3. Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir them together.

4. Gradually add the bread flour, starting with 3 cups. Mix until a soft dough begins to form; if it feels too sticky, add a little more flour up to 3 1/2 cups.

5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes, or until it’s smooth and a bit tacky.

6. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.

7. Once it has doubled, gently punch it down to let out the air then shape it into a loaf.

8. Transfer the dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan and cover it again. Let it proof for another 30-45 minutes until it rises a bit more.

9. Preheat your oven to 375°F while the dough is resting.

10. Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes. Check if it’s done by tapping the bottom – it should sound hollow. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before moving it to a cooling rack. Enjoy making your sandwich bread!

Equipment Needed

1. Small bowl for mixing water, milk, honey, and yeast
2. Large bowl for beating the egg, butter, and salt
3. Measuring cups and spoons for all your liquids and dry ingredients
4. A mixing utensil like a whisk or spoon to combine the ingredients
5. A clean, floured surface or counter space for kneading the dough
6. A greased 9×5-inch loaf pan for shaping the dough
7. A clean towel to cover the dough while it rises
8. An oven for baking the loaf
9. A cooling rack to let the bread cool properly after baking

FAQ

Best Sandwich Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have active dry yeast, you can swap it with instant yeast but use about 25% less as it works faster.
• If you run out of honey, try using maple syrup or even agave syrup in the same measure. It gives a slightly different taste but still works great.
• Instead of warm whole milk, you can use any other kind of milk like 2% or almond milk just be sure its warmed to around 110°F too.
• If unsalted butter is not available, melted margarine or a neutral oil like canola can be used in exactly the same amount.
• You might substitute bread flour with all-purpose flour, but the bread may not be as chewy so adding a bit of vital wheat gluten could help improve the texture.

Pro Tips

1) Make sure your water and milk are actually around 110°F because if they’re too hot then the yeast might get killed, and if they’re too cold your bread might not rise right.
2) When you add more flour, do it slowly and a little at a time. It can get really sticky fast, and too much flour can make your bread tough instead of light and fluffy.
3) Don’t rush the kneading step. Even if it feels like a long job, kneading for a good 8 to 10 minutes really helps build up the gluten which makes your loaf have a nice structure.
4) Keep an eye on the rising times – it might vary a bit depending on your kitchen temperature. If your dough doesn’t double in the given time, let it rest a bit longer instead of rushing into baking.